BBC ON THIS DAY | 14 | 1969: New 50-pence coin sparks confusion About This Site | Text Only 1969: New 50-pence coin sparks confusion The seven-sided 50p coin has come into circulation to replace the 10-shilling note - but it has received a mixed reception. It is the third decimal coin to be introduced into the British currency which goes totally decimal on 15 February, 1971, to be known as D-Day. The British public have already got accustomed to the new 5p and 10p coins introduced last year. There are still three coins left to come - the 2p worth 4.8d, 1p (2.4d) and half pence (1.2d). Today's new arrival, made of cupro-nickel, is the only heptagonal coin in circulation in the world, according to Lord Fiske, chairman of the Decimal Currency Board (DCB). But some shopkeepers, bus conductors and members of the public are complaining that in spite of its distinctive shape it is too easily confused with the 10-pence coin or half crown.

One Londoner told the Evening News he accidentally left a 50p coin in a saucer full of 10ps as a tip for a waiter. "Fortunately the waiter was dead honest and told me. But I suspect there'll be a lot of cases where that doesn't happen," he said. Economic reasons for change The DCB has stockpiled 120 million 50-pence coins at banks around the country ready for today's introduction of the coin, making it the largest ever issue of a new coin. Lord Fiske said the reason for this was to replace the 200 million ten-bob notes as soon as possible. He said the issue would eventually save the Treasury money. "The note is being replaced primarily on economic grounds. A 10s note has a life of some five months and the costs of distribution and withdrawal are comparatively high. "Although a 50p coin will cost more to produce initially, it should have a life of at least 50 years and the metal will subsequently be recoverable." But many people were unhappy with the new addition to their purses and pockets.

UK Decimal Coins - Fifty Pence Pictures of Decimal Fifty Pence coins The Seven-sided Coins Both the 20p and 50p coins are seven-sided to aid identification. The sides are not straight, but curved, with the centre of curvature being the opposite apex. This means that when used in slot machines they always appear to have exactly the same diameter regardless of the orientation of the coin when it is put in. In all of these coins except the new style 50p Dent definitive design introduced in 2008 the central apex is above the Queen's head. Fifty Pence The fifty pence coin originally weighed 13.5 grams and had a diameter of 30 mm. It was introduced in 1969 to replace the ten shilling note as part of the run up towards decimalisation two years later. The ten shilling note ceased to be legal tender from 22nd November 1970. In 1997 a new smaller version of the 50p was introduced weighing 8.00 grams and with a diameter of 27.30 mm. Proof coins were issued in sets every year from 1971 onwards.

There are many types of the 50 pence coin as they are used for commemorative designs. A very large number of new designs have been issued in connection with the London Olympics. 16 of the reverse designs, all dated 2009, were issued together in proof sets to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the 50p coin. Definitive Types Issued from 1969 to 1972 , and 1974 to 1981 (1971-72 and 1974-75 in Proof only). None of this type were issued in 1973 when only the EEC commemorative design was used. Large Britannia type with revised inscription Obv: First Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D {date} starting top right Rev: Britannia (modified), 50 below, FIFTY PENCE above.

Issued from 1982 to 1984 (1984 only obtainable from Mint and Proof sets) Large Britannia type with new portrait Obv: Second Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D {date} starting low left Rev: Britannia, 50 below, FIFTY PENCE above Issued from 1985 to 1993 and 1995 to 1997 (All except 1985 obtainable only from Mint and Proof sets). Proofs: silver in 1996 and 1997. Small Britannia type Issued only in 1997, but in large numbers. Proofs: silver and silver piedfort. Small Britannia type with new portrait Rev: Britannia, 50 below, FIFTY PENCE above Issued for circulation from 1998 to 2008. About 55 million 1998 50p's were issued. 50p coins of this design dated 2007 are available in proof Royal Mint sets, but not in the Uncirculated Coin Set.

This is probably because there were two commemorative designs for 2007. 2008 Britannia type coins have been seen in circulation, but are scarce. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation. Proofs: silver in 2000, 2006, 2008 and 2009; gold in 2002, 2008 and 2009; platinum in 2008; gold piedfort in 2009 New Dent Shield type Issued from 2008 to 2015. 2010, 2011, and 2014 not yet seen in circulation; these are available in Royal Mint sets only. Proofs in cupronickel, silver, gold, platinum, silver piedfort and gold piedfort are known for various dates. New Portrait Issued from 2015. 2015 found in circulation; 2016 and 2017 are available in Royal Mint sets only.

Proofs in cupronickel, silver, and gold are known for various dates. Commemorative Types Issued in 1973 only. A cased Proof version was issued which is arguably more common than the uncirculated examples of the circulation issue. A few silver proofs on slightly thicker than normal blanks were struck for senior EEC Finance Ministers. Second EEC large type Rev: Conference Table with seats and stars, 50 PENCE below, 1992 1993 above . This was issued to celebrate the completion of the EC single market and the British Presidency. A circulation issue was made, but in such small quantities that I have never seen one in change. It was designed by Mary Milner Dickens. Proofs: silver, gold and silver piedfort. D-Day large type This was issued to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. A circulation issue was made, but in small quantities. A few were found in change. Designed by John Mills. Proofs: silver, gold and silver piedfort. Third EEC type.

This and all following are in the small format It looks like a firework display of 12 stars with the inscription 1973 EU 1998 underneath, with 50 PENCE below. Issued in 1998. About 5 million issued. Designed by John Mills. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation. Proofs: silver in 1998 and 2009; gold in 1998 and 2009; silver piedfort in 1998; gold piedfort in 2009 NHS type 'Caring hands' holding suns rays, FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY above, 50 PENCE below, NHS repeated 5 times in the border Issued in 1998. About 5 million issued Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation.

Proofs: silver in 1998 and 2009; gold in 1998 and 2009; silver piedfort in 1998; gold piedfort in 2009 Libraries type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2000 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Commemorative design marking the centenary of the Public Libraries Act of 1850 . Open book above pillared building inscribed PUBLIC LIBRARIES, 1850 2000 above, 50 PENCE to the right. Issued in 2000. Designed by Mary Milner Dickens. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation.

Proofs: silver in 2000 and 2009; gold in 2000 and 2009; silver piedfort in 2000; gold piedfort in 2009 Suffragettes type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2003 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Commemorative design marking the centenary of the Women's Social and Political Union (The Suffragettes) . Suffragette chained to railing and holding banner inscribed WSPU in her left hand. 50 PENCE to the left, and a billboard inscribed GIVE WOMEN THE VOTE to the right, with 1903 below and 2003 to the right. Issued in 2003. Designed by Mary Milner Dickens. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation.

Proofs: silver in 2003 and 2009; gold in 2003 and 2009; silver piedfort in 2003; gold piedfort in 2009 Four-Minute Mile type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2004 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Commemorative design marking the fiftieth anniversary of the first four-minute mile by Roger Bannister . Legs of a runner with a stopwatch showing just under four minutes. 50 PENCE below. Designed by James Butler. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation. Proofs: silver in 2004 and 2009; gold in 2004 and 2009; silver piedfort in 2004; gold piedfort in 2009 Dictionary type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2005 starting low left.

Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Commemorative design marking the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Samuel Johnson's first English Dictionary . 50/FI'FTY.adj/s.[FIFTIZ, Saxon.]/PENCE .n.s./plural of penny/JOHNSON'S/DICTIONARY 1755. Designed by Tom Phillips. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation. Proofs: silver in 2005 and 2009; gold in 2005 and 2009; silver piedfort in 2005; gold piedfort in 2009 Victoria Cross type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2006 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Commemorative design marking the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the Victoria Cross . Pictures of both sides of the Victoria Cross, the reverse engraved 29 JAN 1856.

VC FIFTY PENCE below. Designed by Claire Aldridge. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation. Proofs: silver in 2006 and 2009; gold in 2006 and 2009; silver piedfort in 2006; gold piedfort in 2009 Heroic Actions type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2006 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Commemorative design marking the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the Victoria Cross . Soldier carrying wounded comrade, FIFTY PENCE below. Designed by Clive Duncan. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation.

Proofs: silver in 2006 and 2009; gold in 2006 and 2009; silver piedfort in 2006; gold piedfort in 2009 Scouting type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2007 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Commemorative design marking the one hundredth anniversary of the Scout Movement . Fleur-de-Lys symbol of the Scout Movement, FIFTY PENCE above, BE PREPARED below, 1907 to the left and 2007 to the right Designed by Kerry Jones. Proof coins were struck dated 2009 for the special 2009 16 design set. None dated 2009 were issued for circulation. Proofs: silver in 2007 and 2009; gold in 2007 and 2009; silver piedfort in 2007; gold piedfort in 2009 Kew type Issued in 2009. Seen in circulation although scarce.

Mintage is very low. Proofs: silver, gold, silver piedfort, gold piedfort. EEC small type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D starting top right (to be confirmed) Rev: Nine clasped hands in a circle, 1973 / 50 / PENCE in the centre Issued in 2009 as proofs only, in cupronickel, silver, gold and gold piedfort. Second EEC small type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D starting low left (to be confirmed) Rev: Conference Table with seats and stars, 50 PENCE below, 1992 1993 above. Issued in 2009 as proofs only, in cupronickel, silver, gold and gold piedfort. D-Day small type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2009 starting low left (to be confirmed) Rev: An invasion force of planes and ships.

50 PENCE to right Issued in 2009 as proofs only, in cupronickel, silver, gold and gold piedfort. Girl Guides type From a design by Christopher Ironside Issued and in circulation in 2013. Benjamin Britten type Rev: BENJAMIN BRITTEN on staves, BLOW BUGLE BLOW above, COMPOSER BORN 1913 between, SET THE WILD ECHOES FLYING below Designed by Tom Phillips CBE RA Issued in 2013. Seen in circulation; also available in a Royal Mint folder, and gold, silver, and silver piedfort proofs. Not found in the Year Sets. Glasgow Commonwealth Games type Designed by Alex Loudon with Dan Flashman Issued in 2014. Seen in circulation. Battle of Britain type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2015. Issued in 2015.

Battle of Hastings type Rev: Saxon soldier with arrow in the eye (Harold II?), 10 to left, 66 to right, BATTLE OF HASTINGS around, 2016 under Designed by John Bergdahl To be issued in 2016. Not yet seen in circulation; at present available in Royal Mint sets only. First Beatrix Potter type Obv: Fourth Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 50 PENCE 2016. Central point above Queen's head. Rev: BEATRIX POTTER 1866 1948, silhouette of Beatrix Potter above, Peter Rabbit below, floral motif around Designer not yet known To be issued in 2016. Not yet seen in circulation; not available in 2016 Royal Mint year sets. Second Beatrix Potter type Obv: Fourth Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 50 PENCE 2016. Central point above Queen's head. Rev: a portrait of Peter Rabbit with the inscription PETER RABBIT Further details and designer not yet known To be issued in 2016.

Not yet seen in circulation; not available in 2016 Royal Mint year sets. Sir Isaac Newton type Obv: Fourth Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG FID DEF 2017. Central point above Queen's head. Designed by Aaron West To be issued in 2017. Not yet seen in circulation; available in 2017 Royal Mint year sets. The Olympic Types Athletics type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D {date} starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Child jumping over a stick . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Designed by Florence Jackson Issued in 2009 and 2011. 2011 date seen in circulation; 2009 versions available in Royal Mint presentation folder only. Aquatics type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Aquatics. Swimmer . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below.

Issued in December 2010. Archery type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Archery. Hand, arrow and bowstring . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Badminton type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Badminton. Shuttlecock and players . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Basketball type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Basketball players. London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Not yet seen, but reported to be in circulation.

Boccia type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Boccia. Wheelchair player . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Boxing type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Boxing. Two gloves and ring . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Canoeing type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Canoeist . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Cycling type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust.

Rev: Cyclist on track . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Equestrian type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Equestrian . Horse and rider jumping fence. London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Fencing type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Two fencers . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Football type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Diagram explaining the offside rule . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in 2011.

Goalball type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Goalball player throwing a ball . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Gymnastics type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Gymnast with ribbon . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Handball type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Handball player and court . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Seen in circulation. Hockey type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Hockey. Two players.

London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Judo type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Judo Throw in progress . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in 2011. Modern Pentathlon type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Modern Pentathlon . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Rowing type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Two rowers . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010.

Shooting type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Shooting. Clay pigeon shooter . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Table Tennis type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Table Tennis. Two bats, ball and table . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Taekwondo type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Two athletes engaging in Taekwondo . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Not yet seen, but reported to be in circulation. Tennis type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left.

Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Ball over tennis net . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Not yet seen, but reported to be in circulation. Triathlon type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Triathlon. Runner, cyclist and swimmer . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Volleyball type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Volleyball Game in progress . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Issued in December 2010. Weightlifting type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Female weightlifter . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Seen in circulation.

Wheelchair Rugby type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Wheelchair player with ball . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Not yet seen, but reported to be in circulation. Wrestling type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Rev: Wrestlers in stadium . London 2012 Olympics symbol above, 50 PENCE below. Seen in circulation. Yachting type Obv: Third Portrait, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2011 starting low left. Initials IRB below bust. Decimal Coins of the UK - The Change to Decimal Coinage The Change to Decimal Coinage Pictures of Decimal Coins Decimalisation Day D-Day was February 15th 1971.

On that day the United Kingdom changed from the centuries old tradition of using 12 pence to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound to a new decimal 100 new pence to the pound. Options considered There had been much debate as to the best way of implementing the switch. Australia used a dollar valued at ten old shillings, making the new cent equal to 1.2 old pence, a small change in value. An alternative was to go to a pound-mil system, with a mil equal to 0.24 old pence, a latter-day successor to the farthing. Another was to keep the penny and have a new unit at 100 pence (eight shillings and fourpence). However, in the UK the pound was considered to be particularly important because of the UK's international trading status. In addition, having a new penny worth 2.4 old pence was less of a problem as inflation had made its purchasing power insignificant. As a temporary measure a half new penny was introduced, but as will be seen this had a short life. There was even a pattern quarter penny made in aluminium, but this was not proceeded with.

It was realised at the time that the decision was made that the life of the halfpenny would be very short, but it was felt necessary despite the considerable extra cost of having to mint the coin. Banks never accepted transactions involving an odd halfpenny. The Timetable for the Change The change was made gradually over three years, in a number of stages. In 1968 new shillings and florins were issued as 5 new pence and 10 new pence coins. The older shillings and florins continued to circulate long after decimalisation until the size of the coins was reduced. Theoretically silver coins from 1816 could still have been found in change, but the active withdrawal of silver in the years following the change in 1947, followed by the combination of a dramatic rise in the price of silver with devaluation in 1967 meant that silver coins rapidly vanished from circulation. Blue plastic wallets containing the new 5p and 10p coins dated 1968, along with 1/2p, 1p and 2p coins dated 1971 were put on sale. These wallets are still very common.

In October 1969 the 50 new pence piece replaced the 10 shilling note, which ceased to be legal tender on 22nd November 1970. The old halfpenny was demonetised on 1st August 1969. The half-crown was demonetised on 1st January 1970. The remaining decimal coins became legal tender on 15th February 1971. Maundy coins (and silver threepenny pieces of Maundy design, i.e. with a crowned three on the reverse) were revalued as being in new pence at the same time. The changeover was so rapid that the old penny and nickel brass threepence pieces had been removed from circulation by the end of 1971, although I know of one shop in the Yorkshire Dales which continued to use the old currency for a long time on the basis that 'this new-fangled stuff will never catch on'. The old penny and threepence coins ceased to be legal tender on 31st August 1971, just over six months after D-day.

It is no longer possible to exchange them for current coins at a bank. Later Developments The sixpence , which was allowed to continue circulating at 2½ new pence, was eventually withdrawn at the end of June 1980. I am indebted to Brian Dominic for the following quote from John Glover's book "London's Underground": "The adoption of decimal currency on 15 February 1971 posed a few problems for London Transport, which had favoured the £ Sterling being halved in value and divided into 100 pence - what today might be termed a '50p pound'. With their extensive use of coin operated machines, the Board took strong exception to the proposed introduction of ½p coins, the lack of any coin between 2p and 5p, and the lack of a close relationship of old values and coins with the new. It was all too difficult for them, and it was indeed at London Transport's behest that the 2½p (sixpence) was retained in the coinage for the time being." The term 'New Penny' was dropped in 1982 on the grounds that after ten years it was no longer 'new'.

In that year a new denomination, the 20p coin was introduced. It has proved very popular, and is one of the most frequently encountered coins in change. The pound coin was first issued in 1983. Again, there was a little resistance to the change from note to coin, but cessation of production of the pound note rapidly overcame the objections and the coin is now very well established. The notes were demonetised on 11th March 1988. The half penny coin was last minted for circulation in 1983. In 1984 the denomination was only issued in Mint and Proof Sets and in December 1984 the coin was demonetised, as inflation had rendered it an anachronism. In 1985 a new portrait came into use, designed by Raphael David Maklouf, although the portrait on the Maundy coins was unchanged. Commemorative two pound coins were first issued in 1986, but although legal tender they rarely circulated (some are appearing in change now that the bimetallic circulating coin has been introduced, but as they are about twice the weight of circulating coins, banks have difficulty handling them).

Crown sized commemorative coins valued at 25 pence continued to be minted, but after the Royal Wedding issue of 1981 later 'crowns' were valued at five pounds . This is a source of confusion, but the way to be sure is to know that if they are five pound coins they have the value on them. It was intended that a new two pound coin of the same diameter but thinner than the commemorative versions be introduced in November 1997, but due to technical problems (vending machines rejected them), the introduction was delayed until 1998. This new coin is bimetallic, being the first such coin to be issued in the UK since the tin farthings and halfpennies of the late 17th century. It is the subject of an urban legend, in that a rumour is going the rounds that those coins where the queen is wearing a necklace are rare. This is most definitely untrue, but hoarding of these coins means they not often found in change. In 1998 a further new obverse portrait was introduced, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, which is still in use nearly ten years later.

In 2008 a new set of reverse designs has been revealed, which, in the words of the Royal Mint, 'are a contemporary take on traditional heraldry reflecting the nation's rich history'. These designs apply only to the denominations from 1 penny to 1 pound, and I have been told that both the old and the new reverse designs will be put into circulation dated 2008. Metal Change In 1992 the metal used for the one penny and two penny coins was changed from bronze to copper coated steel. The use of a pure copper coating means that the colour of mint coins is slightly different. Also, as the density of steel is less than bronze and the weight was unchanged, the newer coins are noticeably thicker than the older ones. The versions of these coins issued in the 1992 Mint and Proof sets are said to be bronze - only the circulation issue coins of that date were steel. In 1998 the 2p (and possibly the 1p) temporarily reverted to bronze because of technical problems at the Royal Mint. In 2011 the 5p and 10p coins will change to being made of plated steel as the lower denominations.

Perhaps the 20p and 50p will follow, but the sharper corners of these seven-sided coins may mitigate against this. Shrinkage As a result of inflation the coins based on the old system, the five pence and ten pence , were increasingly seen as oversized for their value. In 1990 a new smaller version of the 5p coin was introduced, and the old large ones along with the shillings that were still to be found were demonetised at the end of that year. The same technique was used for the 10p coin in 1992, with the old size 10p and florin being demonetised at the end of June 1993. Frustratingly, the new 10p is similar in size to the old large 5p, and very occasionally you get fooled! The next was the 50p coin , which was reduced in size in 1997. This also reduced the enormous stock of the larger coins held in banks due to a reduction in demand after the introduction of the pound coin.

A similar problem with the pound coin now that the circulating two pound coin has come into use did occur only to the extent that new one pound coins were not issued for circulation dated 1998 and 1999. A new series of 'normal' non-commemorative designs were released in 2008 for all except the two pound coin. As these were not announced until well into the year, coins up to one pound dated 2008 come in both the original 1968/1971 designs and the new 2008 design. The 2008 50p with Britannia reverse had a very low mintage - I have only seen one in circulation. Starting in 2009, an enormous variety of coins of various denominations are being issued in connection with the 2012 Olympics in London. The Future The penny and twopence coins have become ever more insignificant in value in everyday transactions. However, these two denominations comprise the largest bulk of new coins minted at the Royal Mint, no less than 71% in 1998-99.

The reason for this is simple - they are hoarded because of their low value, with pockets and purses being emptied of these relatively heavy coins each day. Australia and New Zealand have both abandoned the 1 and 2 cent coins, with no significant effect on either trade or inflation. Cash transactions are rounded to the nearest 5 cents, while credit card transactions and cheques can still be written for odd cents. How soon will the UK bow to the inevitable and demonetise the 'coppers'? Legal Tender The following applies to England and Wales: 20p and 50p coins are legal tender up to a total value of 10 pounds. 5p and 10p coins are legal tender up to a total value of 5 pounds. 1p and 2p coins are legal tender up to a total of 20 pence. Therefore you cannot insist on paying your Income Tax (or other unpopular bill) in 1p coins! While five pound coins and old monometallic thick two pound coins are technically legal tender, banks do not accept them. As a result you might find it difficult to find traders willing to accept them.

I gather that Scotland does not have any legal restriction, other than that payment should be presented in a reasonable manner. Tendering a large sum in pennies might not be considered 'reasonable', but the boundary between reasonable and unreasonable is not defined! Acknowledgements See my Coins Index page for acknowledgements CSV File of Values Download a CSV file of the values of decimal coins. Links

Question: In what year was the 50 pence piece introduced?
Answer: 1969